Chinese Therapy Options

Chinese therapy encompasses a broad range of medical practices that share common concepts that were developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years. These include various forms of the following:

Acupuncture

Acupuncture assists the body in healing, balance, and harmony. It uses small needles to penetrate the skin where an acupoint is located in order influence the movement of Qi (energy) and stimulate blood and body fluids. This procedure improves the quality of life for people with the following:

• Pain• Trauma

• Diabetes• Hypertension

• Fibromyalgia

• Stroke

Acupuncture in the United States & Around the World

In the United States, many physicians are either becoming acupuncturists or prescribing acupuncture for their patients. Acupuncture is being researched and used in hospitals, clinics, and wellness centers around the world. Acupuncture is a major complementary alternative medicine (CAM) procedure. According to The National Institute of Health (NIH), an estimated 3.1 million U.S. adults and 150,000 children have used acupuncture over the past 30 or more years. Many health insurance companies now pay for acupuncture treatments.

Health & Safety in Acupuncture

Acupuncture is regulated by state health departments, who license acupuncturist to provide services under certain guidelines. The FDA oversees the use of needles, and all needles must be sterilized. New sterilized needles come in sealed packages. A needle is used once and then discarded in a medical waste container for hazardous waste disposal. Acupuncture is used for the following conditions:

• Migraines• Tension Headaches• Sinusitis• Anxiety

• Common Cold• Addiction• Smoking Cessation • Stroke

• Trigeminal• Neuralgia• Chronic Pain

• Meniere's Disease• Tennis Elbow• Sciatica

Tui Na

The bodywork system Tui Na is in the same category as acupuncture. It uses over 100 different hand manipulations on the same points and meridians that an acupuncturist would apply a needle to. Each hand manipulation encourages the movement of Qi (energy), blood, body fluid, and soft tissue. This improves range of motion, assists with balance, and heals and harmonizes the body.

Benefits of Tui Na

In China, there are hospitals and clinics that only use Tui Na for therapy. When Chinese athletes, performing artists, and martial artists travel, an acupuncturist and Tui Na therapist accompany them. Tui Na addresses some of the same health challenges as acupuncture. Tui Na aids in the following: